The moon is really, really far away. By comparison these are within arms reach.

Most would eventually fall to earth anyway. It’s more a problem of designing future satellites that are larger and have more functionality. Small satellites are so cheaply to design and shoot up there but it’s a huge issue when it only doesn’t one thing for one company.

They all need to be designed to fall to earth in 5 years or something.

We shot a satellite with an F-16 once. Turns out that's easier than getting rid of space junk....

Actually probably made that whole situation worse tbh

If a problem can be fixed with a big ass laser, I assert that it is our duty, as humans, to do so. With vigor.

I can think of nothing more human.

Nuclear propulsion would likely need to be assembled in space and when needed, the spacecraft would need to attach to it in orbit. Critical malfunction tends to happen in atmosphere.

>What? The fact is that they were the first nation to launch an object into orbit, the first nation to launch a man into orbit, the first nation to launch an object into orbit around the Moon, and many other firsts. They had put two satellites in orbit by the time our first attempt blew up on the pad.

Well, your username fits at least.

Yes, those are all true, but also incredibly misleading, and apparently you failed to understand what I wrote.

Again, once more for the kids who came in late at the back: the Soviets would find out when the States were going to do something and then throw everything at beating them to that. Go back and read my previous post for more information. The summary is that they were never technologically ahead of the States; they were just better at using what they had to get those "firsts" you mentioned.

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>The idea that they were behind us yet somehow would figure out what we were already doing and beat us to the punch despite our head start is nonsensical to say the least.

You may find it nonsensical, but that is probably because you are misinformed. Go back to your studies, actually read dry and boring historical records, and then it will make more sense.

Theoretically ion engines are the pinnacle of propulsion. Far more efficient than normal combustion engines. And doesn't satellites already use small ion engines for realignment?

Was about to say integza just recently made a video about this.

That’s like saying, “why don’t I drive 100 miles to the nearest recycling center to recycle my cardboard box, instead of burning my cardboard box in my backyard fire pit?”

I.e. moon is still really far away and difficult to get to

Assuming the same relative time decrease, 3 years

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The detonation engine still uses both fuel and oxidizer. It isn't nuclear. The nuclear engine was just mentioned at the end as another engine being worked on.

I know a two people named Rigel. Neither of them are likely to be your son, but it’s a cool name nonetheless.

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I saw it in my backyard tonight it was magnificent!

Why is it getting awarded by Kamala Harris? Previous Congressional Space Medal of Honor recipients received the award from the President, not the Vice President.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Space_Medal_of_Honor

Wow a 45 day trip to Mars... that's absolutely incredible.

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There are samples onboard. These are backups.

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Maybe someone can explain to me: why does Perseverance drop samples, instead of keeping them stored onboard? Wouldn't it be easier for some future rover to just go to wherever Perseverance is and collect all the samples at once, rather than needing to trace Perseverance's entire journey to pick up the samples?

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Multiple countries already have that capability. Of course, the proliferation of abilities to do it cheaply might be a concern, but really for the good of us all we need to have the means to quickly and cheaply remove debris from orbit. It is inevitable that something breaks or there’s an accident or there’s debris that needs to be moved before it collides with something important. Or perhaps in the aftermath of a war which may see certain satellites annihilated we’ll need to do cleanup efforts.